The Sickly Regent Prince Who Was Abandoned as a Substitute Bride

Chapter 487

Upon learning of this, Dongfang Wan'er, far away in the capital, was deeply worried. She was restless, her mind constantly replaying images of the Duke of Zhenguo fighting valiantly on the battlefield and the helpless wounded soldiers. Knowing the immense impact of battlefield injuries on morale and combat effectiveness, she used her exceptional medical skills, working tirelessly day and night, consulting countless medical books and ancient texts, and experimenting with various combinations of medicinal herbs. Finally, she developed some medicines that could effectively treat wounds and enhance the soldiers' physical strength.

After the medicine was successfully developed, Dongfang Wan'er dared not delay for a moment. She selected several of the fastest horses and arranged for her most capable subordinates to send the medicine to the border at top speed. Along the way, the delivery team endured wind and rain, traveling day and night, all to deliver the medicine to the Duke of Zhenguo as soon as possible.

On the battlefield, smoke filled the air, and shouts of battle shook the heavens. The Duke of Zhenguo led his soldiers in a desperate struggle against the enemy. However, the battle was exceptionally fierce, and the soldiers suffered severe injuries and illnesses; many groaned in pain due to the lack of timely and effective treatment. What angered the Duke even more was that the accompanying military medics were passive in their treatment, neglecting the wounded soldiers and displaying a perfunctory attitude.

Just when the situation was extremely critical, the medicine delivery team sent by Dongfang Wan'er finally arrived. Looking at the boxes of life-saving medicine, the Duke of Zhenguo's eyes were filled with gratitude and relief. He immediately arranged for his soldiers to distribute the medicine to the wounded soldiers and personally supervised the military doctors in administering the medication.

With the help of Dongfang Wan'er's medicine, the wounded soldiers gradually recovered their condition and strength. Feeling the care of the Duke of Zhenguo and the hope brought by the medicine, the soldiers' morale soared. Seizing this rare opportunity, the Duke of Zhenguo redeployed his strategy, leading his soldiers in wave after wave of counterattacks, gradually turning the tide of the battle.

The Emperor anxiously awaited news from the front lines in the capital. When he learned that the Duke of Zhenguo had stabilized the army's morale and turned the tide of the war thanks to Dongfang Wan'er's medicine, he flew into a rage. He smashed his teacup on the ground, cursing furiously, "That Duke of Zhenguo, and Dongfang Wan'er, they've ruined my plans!"

But the emperor was not willing to give up so easily, and another plan came to mind in his gloomy mind. He planned to punish the Duke of Zhenguo again on the grounds of delaying the battle when he returned to the capital, wanting to get rid of this thorn in his side completely.

However, the Emperor's every move was observed by the Empress Dowager and Dongfang Wan'er. They had long suspected something was amiss and were secretly gathering evidence of the Emperor's framing of loyal officials. The Empress Dowager used her connections in court to inquire about the details of the Emperor's collusion with the accompanying military physician; Dongfang Wan'er, with her intelligence and meticulousness, pieced together every clue related to the Emperor's conspiracy. They were both waiting for that crucial moment to deliver a fatal blow to the Emperor and restore order to the court.

After the smoke of battle cleared from the frontier, the Duke of Zhenguo led his victorious army back to the capital in a grand procession. The soldiers marched in perfect unison, their morale high, their faces beaming with the joy of victory. Little did they know that a new storm was quietly brewing in the imperial court of the capital.

In the capital, the people lined the streets to welcome him, cheering the name of the Duke of Zhenguo and praising his bravery and achievements. However, when the Duke of Zhenguo stepped into the palace to report to the emperor, he immediately sensed an unusual atmosphere. The emperor sat upright on his dragon throne, his eyes showing no joy of victory, but rather filled with gloom and calculation.

In the imperial court, ministers stood in order of rank. What should have been a joyous celebration was instead filled with a tense atmosphere, as if sparks could fly in the air. The Duke of Zhenguo respectfully bowed to the emperor and reported on the course of the battle and its results. His words were earnest, every word revealing his loyalty to the country and his respect for the soldiers.

However, the emperor seemed to have no interest in listening to his report. No sooner had the Duke of Zhenguo finished speaking than the emperor impatiently launched his attack, slamming his hand on the armrest of his dragon throne, rising to his feet, and loudly proclaiming, "Duke of Zhenguo, although you have achieved merit in this campaign, you have delayed the battle, causing it to drag on for a long time and wasting a great deal of manpower and resources. Your guilt is undeniable! I have decided to punish you!" The emperor's voice echoed in the hall, and for a moment, everyone was shocked.

The ministers exchanged bewildered glances. Though they sensed something amiss with the emperor's actions, they dared not utter a sound, unable to fathom his intentions. In this oppressive silence, the Empress Dowager, sitting to the side, let out a cold laugh, a laugh filled with mockery and disdain. She slowly rose, her figure no longer youthful, but her majesty undiminished.

The Empress Dowager swept her gaze across the court, her eyes lingering on the Emperor's face for a moment before she produced a document from her sleeve. This document was irrefutable proof of the Emperor's collusion with the military doctor. The Empress Dowager spoke slowly, "Emperor, look at this!" Her voice was not loud, but every word was clear and powerful, echoing throughout the hall. "I have long ago secretly planted spies, recording every detail of your conspiracy. For your own selfish gain, you actually colluded with the military doctor, attempting to frame the Duke of Zhenguo on the battlefield. What are your intentions?"

All eyes turned to the evidence, and a murmur rippled through the hall. The ministers whispered amongst themselves, their faces a mixture of shock and anger. They couldn't believe that their ruler would commit such an absurd and treacherous act.

At the same time, Dongfang Wan'er stepped forward, her posture upright and her eyes resolute. Holding a well-organized set of clues in both hands, she clearly and logically exposed the emperor's framing. She began by recounting the emperor's decree ordering the Duke of Zhenguo to lead the expedition, detailing every suspicious aspect and how she and the Empress Dowager had gathered evidence step by step. Her narrative was logically sound and the evidence irrefutable, convincing everyone present.

Upon hearing Dongfang Wan'er's revelations, the ministers could no longer contain their anger. An elderly minister was the first to step forward, pointing at the emperor and loudly accusing him: "Your Majesty, as the ruler of the country, you have committed such a heinous act of framing loyal officials. This is utterly unbecoming and has failed the expectations of the people!" Immediately, the other ministers echoed his sentiments, and for a moment, voices accusing the emperor rose and fell, resounding throughout the hall.

The emperor's face turned deathly pale, and beads of cold sweat appeared on his forehead. He never imagined that his meticulously planned conspiracy would be seen through by the Empress Dowager and Dongfang Wan'er, and exposed so thoroughly. He opened his mouth, trying to argue, but after only a few words, he was sternly rebuked by the Empress Dowager: "Shut up! Don't you know how to repent even now?"

The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor with majesty and continued, "As the ruler of a country, you bear the well-being of all people on your shoulders, yet you are so narrow-minded, framing loyal officials and leaving the country and its people in such a state. Do you have any respect for your ancestors and for this land and its people?" Every word of the Empress Dowager's was like a heavy hammer, striking the Emperor's heart hard.

The emperor was speechless when questioned, his legs went weak, and he slumped onto the dragon throne. His eyes were filled with despair and regret; at this moment, he was completely isolated and helpless.

Ultimately, under immense pressure from the Empress Dowager and the ministers, the Emperor had no choice but to admit his mistake. He reluctantly withdrew his order, his face showing embarrassment and shame, and apologized to the Duke of Zhenguo. The Duke of Zhenguo looked at the Emperor, his heart filled with mixed emotions, but he still prioritized the greater good and accepted the Emperor's apology.

The Duke of Zhenguo was exonerated, and his loyalty and achievements were rightfully recognized. Dongfang Wan'er, with her wit and courage, once again earned the admiration of the people. Ministers looked upon her with respect, and the common people praised her highly. From then on, the court returned to its former order, ministers performed their duties diligently, and the country gradually prospered. The emperor, having learned a lesson from this incident, restrained his wrongdoings, began to reflect on his actions, and strived to be a qualified monarch.

Beneath the surface of a seemingly calm court, undercurrents are surging. Various factions are secretly vying for power, and while the situation appears stable, it harbors hidden dangers.

Not long after, envoys from the Western Regions arrived from afar to offer tribute. The grand procession carried rare and precious treasures from the Western Regions, demonstrating their sincerity. In the imperial court, the emperor sat high on the dragon throne, with ministers standing on both sides. What should have been a grand event showcasing national power and promoting exchanges was suddenly disrupted.

The envoy from the Western Regions stood in the center of the hall, a meaningful smile on his face, and slowly said, "We have brought a small test with us this time. Our Western Regions suffer from a strange illness. If your country has no one who can cure it, I fear our future tributes will have to be reduced." These words immediately caused an uproar in the court. Ministers whispered amongst themselves, their faces filled with alarm. Even the emperor, though he had restrained himself from his previous misdeeds, couldn't help but look troubled upon hearing this. His brows furrowed deeply, and his eyes were filled with worry.

In the midst of this tense atmosphere, Dongfang Wan'er stepped forward without hesitation. Her posture was upright, her expression resolute, showing no fear whatsoever. "Your Majesty, I am willing to give it a try," she said, her voice clear and powerful, echoing throughout the hall. The emperor and his ministers all turned their gazes to her, their eyes filled with surprise and a hint of anticipation.

Dongfang Wan'er approached the patient brought by the envoy from the Western Regions, carefully observed the symptoms, took the patient's pulse, and inquired about many details. After in-depth research, she discovered that this was caused by an extremely rare poisonous miasma from the Western Regions, a miasma that had almost never appeared in the Central Plains, and the imperial palace's reserves of medicinal herbs were simply insufficient to cope with it.

Faced with such a thorny situation, Dongfang Wan'er did not flinch. She resolutely decided to venture into the Western Regions to find the antidote. When the news spread, everyone worried about her safety. The Duke of Zhenguo, upon hearing this, was even more anxious. He knew the Western Regions were a long and arduous journey, with harsh conditions and unknown dangers; Dongfang Wan'er's journey would surely be fraught with peril. Therefore, the Duke of Zhenguo volunteered to accompany Dongfang Wan'er. "Your Majesty," the Duke of Zhenguo said firmly, his voice filled with a sense of responsibility, "I am willing to accompany Miss Dongfang to the Western Regions. Firstly, to ensure her safety; secondly, if she encounters danger, I can lend her a helping hand." The Emperor pondered for a moment, then finally nodded in agreement.

And so, Dongfang Wan'er and the Duke of Zhenguo embarked on their perilous journey to the Western Regions. Along the way, they traversed vast deserts, the scorching sun blazing down, sand swirling in the air, the intense heat almost melting them. Gale-force winds whipped sand against their faces, stinging their eyes. Water was scarce, every drop precious. They also crossed treacherous mountains, the paths rugged and difficult to traverse, a single misstep threatening to plunge them into a bottomless abyss. The thin air made breathing difficult, and their physical strength was severely depleted.

In the perilous lands of the Western Regions, they encountered mysterious tribes. These tribes were fierce and wary of strangers. On one occasion, they mistakenly entered the territory of one tribe and were instantly surrounded by a group of armed tribesmen. The atmosphere was extremely tense, and a conflict seemed imminent. Dongfang Wan'er, with her wisdom and composure, explained her purpose to the tribesmen and demonstrated her goodwill. After a difficult process of communication and explanation, the tribesmen finally lowered their guard, not only offering them some assistance but also providing them with clues about the poisonous miasma and herbs.

Dongfang Wan'er and the Duke of Zhenguo supported and encouraged each other. During their search for medicinal herbs, Dongfang Wan'er, with her superb medical skills and extraordinary wisdom, repeatedly escaped danger. She meticulously studied each plant, leaving no possible clue unchecked. The Duke of Zhenguo, on the other hand, always stayed by her side, protecting her from harm and danger.

Finally, after countless attempts and searches, they found the key herb in a secluded valley. At that moment, the two were moved to tears; all their hardships and efforts had been rewarded.

When they rushed back to the capital with the antidote and successfully cured the illness, the entire court was in an uproar. The envoy from the Western Regions stared wide-eyed in disbelief, then revealed an expression of admiration, completely convinced of their superiority. This incident not only enhanced the court's diplomatic prestige but also spread the fame of Dongfang Wan'er and the Duke of Zhenguo far and wide. The people passed down their story by word of mouth, and they became legends, inspiring generations to come.

The moment they received the herbs, the joy in Dongfang Wan'er and the Duke of Zhenguo's hearts was instantly replaced by an urgent desire to return home. They knew that the patient in the capital, tormented by the strange illness, was waiting anxiously, and the situation at court was hanging by a thread because of this test. The two dared not delay for a moment, quickly packed their bags, and embarked on their journey home.

On their return journey, they traveled day and night, daring not to slacken for a moment. The Duke of Zhenguo personally selected several of the strongest and most agile horses, which carried the herbs that symbolized their hopes, galloping along the winding roads. The blazing sun beat down relentlessly, their clothes soaked with sweat; as night fell and the stars twinkled, they continued their journey under the moonlight. Drowsiness and exhaustion washed over them like waves, but they persevered. Along the way, they had no time to appreciate the scenery; only one unwavering belief remained in their hearts: to return to the capital as quickly as possible.